Time Flies Arrives on PS5 July 31st – PlayStation.Blog

Sure thing, let’s dive right in!

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Hey there, I’m Michael Frei. So, I’ve been working on this game, “Time Flies,” and you’re a fly in it. Seriously. It’s hitting PS5 on July 31st, and yep, maybe you caught a glimpse of it on the PlayStation Blog a while back. Time sure zips by, doesn’t it?

Now, before you start buzzing around, the game checks where you’re playing from. Kinda neat, right?

(Country selection screen)

So get this: if you live in Switzerland, WHO says your life expectancy is 83.3 years. In fly time, that’s like 83.3 seconds to live your best fly life. In the US? You’re looking at a shorter 76.4 seconds. I mean, what a way to bring realism into a game where you’re, well, a fly.

(Taking off as a fly)

Means it’s a tougher gig depending on your virtual zip code. Really makes you think—or maybe not?

So, a bucket list. What do you do before you, uh, expire? That’s the big question, right? Don’t worry, we throw in a list of things for you; figure ’em out, do ‘em, maybe? It’s hard at first, but like anything else, practice makes… less difficult. I mean, this is life—but multiple times over.

The toughest part of making “Time Flies”? Dreaming up stuff a fly can actually do. Top pick for me? Finding God. Yeah, that’s on the list. Let’s just say the design phase was—oh man—a trip. No spoilers here, though.

(Early sketch—a fly on the game controller. Yep, you read that right.)

Step 1: Ideas

You’ve played games, but ever as a fly, in a game, in a game? Meta much? We brainstormed this platformer where you escape hell to reach heaven. Cool idea, but yeah, some snags.

(Mockup of that concept)

Step 2: Limitations

Problem was, you can only hit one button at a time as a fly. You trigger actions with stick controls. Fly around, bounce off, land, walk—no button mashing here.

(Final game screenshot)

Step 3: Nailing it

Our fix? Simplify. Three controls: left-right and a trigger button. “Find God” doesn’t require scaling heavens; just look both ways. If you’re thinking, “That’s it?”—well, there might be another game hidden inside for ya. A game within a game, within the game. Clear as mud? Thought so.

Hope you’ve got a blast buzzing around in “Time Flies” this July. Trust me, it’s a trip. 🖤

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